Gardens at Westlake rocks with sock hop

by Barb Bartlome

It was an afternoon of laughter, fun and reminiscing of years past but still present in the minds of all the seniors that attended the 1950s-themed “Sock Hop” on August 19 at the Gardens at Westlake on Detroit Road.

Upon entering the front lobby, the doors displayed huge, colorful paper cutouts of jukeboxes, and hanging from the ceiling were streamers and 45-RPM rock-and-roll records. Tables were decorated with nostalgic candy, like Good & Plenty, Tootsie Rolls, Chiclets and Dentyne gum and Boston Baked Beans.

The staff all dressed in rock-and-roll attire and many of the residents and guests from the community did the same. Refreshments included cheeseburgers, French fries and root beer floats. Jerry Simmerer sang classic hits and there were also raffles throughout the afternoon.

The event drew a large crowd that enjoyed themselves as they sang to the music, enjoyed the food and were pleased with the raffle prizes they won.

Memories of the old days were shared between friends and there were smiles all around. Pat Sarver, 79, remembered wearing penny loafers and attending CYO dances and sock hops. Ninety-year-old Lou Chelko, a retired NASA engineer, recalled the weekly NASA “record hops” that cost $1 admission and served free beer and refreshments.

The sock hop was a success, evidenced by the many requests to repeat the event next year.